Families with a child affected by a mental/neurological disorder often live a chaotic and stress filled existence. Often, the struggle is invisible to the public. Unknown to even neighbors, a series of chronic storms erupt inside the home. Furthermore, stigmas make seeking support challenging. Parents struggle to give time to all of their children as […]
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Why Changing Our Expectations Results in Blessing Others
As I watched my youngest graduate from Junior High School, my heart was torn. It was not for the reasons you might assume. While I felt joy in the celebration of these kids (many of whom I have known since preschool), I wrestled with the sadness coming from witnessing behaviors minutes before which have become […]
The Hard Work of Being Neighbors
On November 9,the day after the Presidential election I woke up to a raw reality.A tidal wave of voices-loud, vulnerable, celebratory, discouraged, respectful, disrespectful, urban, rural, old, young, male, female-washed over our shared land of Earthly citizenship. The feelings of divisiveness that had been bubbling below the surface for so long exploded. Americans of every political […]
When the Church IS the Church
What does the Church look like? I’m not talking about architecture. What does it look like? In my last blog I pondered what it takes for people who don’t follow Christ to begin to take notice of the Church. I believe that the Old Testament gives us a “pre-christian” understanding of community. There is a […]
Why I Grieved When My Son's Friend Moved Away
As my son settled himself into the car seat next to me, his face told me what I had hoped wasn’t a reality. His friend had moved away. Without notice. My heart sank. For him. For Matt. And for me. You see, my youngest, is in middle school. It’s a season of so many changes: […]
When God’s Compassions Are Extended Through Relationship
How do those “compassions” manifest themselves to us? In my last post, I wrote about God providing an endless supply of compassions. “We were not completely wiped out. His compassion is never limited.23 It is new every morning. His faithfulness is great.” (Lam.3:22-23, God’s Word Version) God’s compassions extend to us in many forms In May, Scott, […]